Jetstar Expands Canberra-Brisbane Service with Larger Aircraft
Budget airline Jetstar has announced a significant expansion of its Canberra to Brisbane route, introducing larger aircraft and increased capacity as part of ongoing efforts to boost aviation recovery in the nation's capital. The airline, which operates as part of the Qantas Group, will deploy Airbus A321LR planes on the route from April, replacing the smaller A320 aircraft previously used.
Enhanced Capacity and Competitive Fares
The new aircraft configuration will add 52 additional seats per flight, resulting in more than 19,000 extra low-fare seats becoming available on the Canberra-Brisbane route between April and October. Jetstar has confirmed that one-way fares will start from $129, maintaining the airline's budget-friendly positioning while offering improved capacity.
Stephanie Tully, Jetstar's Chief Executive, emphasized the benefits for both travellers and local businesses: "We're pleased to bring our larger A321LR aircraft to the nation's capital for the first time. This gives Canberrans more opportunities to travel to the Sunshine State while also supporting local tourism and hospitality businesses with more travellers able to experience the many attractions that Canberra and the region have to offer."
Canberra Airport's Recovery Journey
The expansion comes as Canberra Airport continues its gradual recovery from the pandemic's severe impact on air travel. Before COVID-19 restrictions decimated aviation services, the airport regularly handled more than three million passengers annually. Current figures indicate passenger numbers remain just short of this pre-pandemic benchmark, though steady improvements continue.
Stephen Byron, Chief Executive of Canberra Airport, welcomed the increased capacity: "This additional capacity not only helps keep fares competitive, but it also gives passengers the chance to travel on Jetstar's new aircraft, offering a more comfortable experience on one of our busiest routes."
Shifting Travel Patterns Post-Pandemic
Analysis of passenger data reveals significant changes in travel patterns since the pandemic. Sydney, once the most popular destination for Canberra travellers, has dropped to third position, with Melbourne and Brisbane now occupying the top two spots. Several factors contribute to this shift:
- Qantas experienced significant flight cancellations on the Canberra-Sydney route in 2023, recording the worst cancellation rate of any domestic route in Australia
- Increased competition from ground transport options, particularly bus services
- The emergence of new operators like FlixBus on the Canberra-Sydney corridor
- Murrays Coaches offering competitive city-centre to city-centre travel times at substantially lower prices than air travel
Broader Aviation Recovery Initiatives
Jetstar's expansion represents the latest in a series of positive developments for Canberra Airport's recovery strategy. Recent months have seen several significant announcements:
- Qatar Airways resumed services to Canberra in December after a five-year hiatus, operating Boeing 777 aircraft that connect via Melbourne to more than 170 global destinations through Doha
- Fly Pelican commenced three-times-weekly flights to Avalon, west of Melbourne, in October
- Additional domestic routes have been introduced, with further expansion both within Australia and internationally anticipated in coming months
Economic and Tourism Implications
The increased capacity on the Canberra-Brisbane route holds particular significance for business travel, as Brisbane has developed as an important destination for both corporate and leisure travellers from the ACT. Jetstar's decision to focus expansion efforts on this corridor reflects growing demand from Canberrans seeking access to Queensland's capital and the nearby Gold Coast.
The airline already operates direct services from Canberra to the Gold Coast with fares starting from $81, and to Melbourne from $93, providing a comprehensive network of budget options for ACT residents. This latest expansion strengthens Canberra's position as a growing aviation hub while supporting broader tourism recovery efforts across the region.
As Canberra Airport continues its journey toward full recovery, industry observers will monitor whether these capacity increases and service improvements can help push passenger numbers beyond pre-pandemic levels in the coming year.
